This yarn is getting pushed to the back of my yarn stash more and more because I always have problems felting it. Is it because:1) I'm using a front loader or2) the yarn?I don't have problems with other yarns in my front loader. But with Cascade 220 getting rid of the stitch definition is a bear. And I've tried all the tricks (dipping it in boiling hot water and cold in advance of putting it in the machine, etc.) And I avoid their light colors, 'cause those just don't felt for me.Any suggestions? The price point for the yarn makes it an attractive felting yarn.

I have several friends who have successfully felted Cascade 220. The front loader may, indeed, be an issue. Also, make sure you're knitting loosely enough - the fibers have to be able to move against each other in order to felt.

This yarn never made it to my stash! I could tell in pictures online of bags made with it that I didn't want any. You could see stitches entirely too clearly for my wishes. If I ever want stitch definition, I'll consider using it.

I stick with Patons Classic or Galway, both of which felt quickly, smoothly, and densely - just what I want! And where I get them, they're less expensive than Cascade 220.

For vintage yarns, occasionally I find some Brunswick Germantown or Bernat Lana (both sadly now defunct) which felt well. Ran across a bunch of Gold Bell last spring which takes longer to felt and leaves some definition - about as much as Cascade 220. Also have some Red Heart wool, but haven't tried that yet.

I'm with you on this one, F-B. I even own the complete color card set, and it is delicious to peruse but I almost never use it at all anymore.

I used Cascade 220 on a swatch recently for a base of a bag with a piped edge, and the cracks between the stockinette stitches just won't go away.

I'm a big fan of Brown Sheep Nature Spun lately if I need a nice, smooth finish. It is not available much retail for me around here, so I must order off the internet. Luckily I have the color cards for that one, too, so I'm not ordering blindly. The color selection is pretty wide, and they are adding colors each year.

But my favorite still is Lamb's Pride. I like the extra weight and the bit of halo.

I used Cascade 220 for a pair of the Fiber Trends felted clogs and had great results. I have a regular top-loader, used hot water, added a dash of detergent and two pairs of blue jeans. The stitch definition was long lost before I could get them felted down to fit my small feet. You could also try Patons Classic Merino or check out the sale items offered by Jimmy Bean's and WEBS.

Every time I use Cascade 220 it turns out great! I've felted a ton of items and use a variety of yarns. I do like Lamb's Pride alot when I don't mind some fuzz. Cascade 220 has a very nice tight curl to the finish. CharRube

I am new to felting had already bought this yarn before reading this post. I quickly did a test swatch and hand felted it in my sink. I took practically no time and I have no stitch definition. I haven't completed the project yet but now I am not hesitant to start. I was using a dark brown. I haven't felted much but the results seem fine to me.

I went to Italy for five weeks on vacation (isn't retirement grand!) and knit hats (see my FLickr for a few) the whole time because they are small and easy to haul around. But I was inspired by all the fabulous handbags I saw, especially in Rome. So I've got to get back to designing. Marilyn, your praise is just the kick in the pants I needed!

I will never use C220 for felting. My cousin bought some for her first felted bag and was so disappointed. After 5-7 cycles in the washer (top load, not front) boiling, scrubbing, rubbing and drying in the dryer you could still see stitches and it barely shrank. Finally I think on the 10th cycle with some shoes it finally shrunk but she never uses the bag.

I do like Patons classic because it gets really thick and tight, but I don't liek the fact that it shrinks by more than 50% in about 5 minutes. I've also used lite lopi and liked the results, loved the fuzz! I've been using my aunts homespun a lot too and I like that a lot.

MindyO -- was the C220 a light color? That really drives me crazy. If the bag finally felted but she doesn't like, she could always cut it up into coasters. I try to think of my "bags that bomb" as fabric and imagine what I could do with the fabric.

Well she used a darker pink and a lighter pink, but it wasn't terribly light. I had known about the light colors possibly not felting as well, so the lighter didn't surprise me, but the darker pink I thought should have felted really well. I think she has addes D loops and a longt stripey ribbon and used it briefly, but not sure she still does. She made a couple malabrigo purses and loves those.

Cascade is generally recommended for felting! Maybe the pink was treated like a white or cream and then dyed! I'll bet your yarn shop or the company could tell you why it didn't felt well. All the Cascade 220 I have used for felting (and that has been a great amount) has always felted very well. CharRube

I've never had a problem with Cascade 220 felting, and I prefer no stitch definition. In fact, it's my default felting yarn, since I don't always want the fuzzy look you get with yarns containing mohair, like Lamb's Pride. It could be your water content, your machine, etc., but if it's not working for you, there are other inexpensive felting yarns out there (e.g., KnitPicks, Valley Yarns, etc.). Guess it's further proof that felting is not an exact science. [**]

I used Cascade 220 for a pair of the Fiber Trends felted clogs and had great results. I have a regular top-loader, used hot water, added a dash of detergent and two pairs of blue jeans. The stitch definition was long lost before I could get them felted down to fit my small feet.

Me too, except I only used one pair of jeans, and I only had to get them to a size 7!